Day: November 20, 2025

Rollers Strike Gold At Asia-Oceania Championships

The Australian Rollers men’s wheelchair basketball team, wearing gold and green uniforms, celebrate on court in front of a basketball hoop in Bangkok after winning the 2025 IWBF Asia-Oceania Championships, proudly displaying gold medals and holding up “number one” fingers, with coaches and support staff behind them and international flags in the background.

The Rollers capped off an unbeaten run at the IWBF Asia-Oceania Championships, defeating Japan 62–57 in the final to secure the title in Bangkok. The result extends their dominance in the region and keeps their tournament winning streak alive.

Coach Brad Ness praised the team’s culture and the strong support from families, friends, and the Gliders, Australia’s women’s wheelchair basketball team. With the 2026 IWBF World Championships in Canada next up, the Rollers are focused on continued success and maintaining their legacy.

Australian athletes head to Tokyo for the Deaflympics

Australian marathon runner Melinda Vernon smiles and stands with her young son Hugo outdoors, proudly holding her green “Australia” athletics singlet as they prepare for the Deaflympics, with “ABC News” text visible in the corner.

After winning medals in past Deaflympics, Melinda Vernon stepped away from competition to focus on her young son. Now 40, she’s making a comeback for Australia, taking on the marathon in Tokyo with her son Hugo cheering trackside. Melinda hopes to inspire more deaf athletes and grow support for Deaflympics in Australia, where funding and access remain big challenges.

Deaf athletes like Melinda juggle barriers such as limited financial backing and language access, often fundraising just to compete. Australia’s history at the Deaflympics is long, but real challenges persist, especially compared to other elite disability sporting events. With over 90 Australians competing in Tokyo, athletes and teams continue to call for more recognition and support, determined to show what deaf sport and community can achieve on the global stage.

Winter Games Hopeful Dave Miln Launches End Of Year Appeal

A sit-ski athlete in an Australian team jacket poses on snowy terrain, holding ski poles and wearing gloves, with mountainous slopes and buildings in the background. His adaptive sit-ski equipment is visible, and "Paralympics Australia" is written in white text. The image highlights para-athlete participation in winter sport.

Across three years since a life-altering accident, Navy clearance diver Dave Miln has rebuilt his life after losing both legs. Injured while shielding his young daughters from a snow plough in the US, Dave endured months of treatment and more than 25 surgeries, facing ongoing physical and mental recovery.

Sport became his motivation and focus, helping him heal, keeping him connected, and driving new ambition. He now aims to represent Australia in Para-biathlon at the Milano Cortina Paralympics, hoping to inspire his daughters and show what’s possible after adversity.

As the face of Paralympics Australia’s End of Year Appeal, Dave is advocating for support to help him and the next generation of athletes pursue their dreams on the world stage.